Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin! J’accuse!

And you, too, Philippe Starck! You are gorgeous, super-talented Euro geniuses. J’adore you all, but you have been très, très naughty and you need to be spanked. Heads up: You will each be receiving an invoice from me for the time I spent listening to your long and winding words. I refer to the imprisoning and protracted acceptance speeches y’all recently delivered at the star-studded endurance test that was the Fashion Group International Awards, held at Cipriani Wall Street on Thursday, Oct. 23. The monies I receive will be sent to Prince, or the charity of his choice, as a reward for having had the decency to remain mute while presenting to Donatella Versace.  read more »

Since Michelle Obama told Jay Leno that she was wearing a J. Crew ensemble, web traffic to J. Crew's website has increased by 464 percent. [WWD] 

Donatella Versace admitted that she was insecure about taking over her brother's label in 1997. That is, until Jennifer Lopez wore her jungle-printed, sheer dress to the Grammys in 2000 and Ms. Versace realized she was on the right track. [Vogue UK] 

Sofia Coppola talked to Suzy Menkes about her new collection for Louis Vuitton and had this to say about women's style: "Paris women have certain style - they are not trying to be little girls. In general, people are more chic and put together in Paris. American sportswear hasn't entirely taken over. I like the idea of growing up and being a woman - the end of childhood but keeping part of your nature." [IHT] 

In an effort to cut costs, Gap asked employees at its San Francisco office to take three days of paid vacation this week. [WWD]

At the Whitney Museum Gala on Monday, Oct. 20, gallerist Mary Boone told the Transom she has been through three economic downturns: the first when she opened her gallery in 1977; another in the late ’80s; and finally a third directly following 9/11. And so the petite Ms. Boone, whose 5-foot-1-inch frame and tame, pitch-black hair make her seem deceptively mousy, is not particularly concerned this time around.

“In November of ’89, only 20 percent of works were selling at auctions,” Ms. Boone said. “But the works then went on the market at the right prices. So it’s all a correction.  read more »

At the Whitney Museum Gala on Monday, Oct. 20, gallerist Mary Boone told the Transom she has been through three economic downturns: the first when she opened her gallery in 1977; another in the late ’80s; and finally a third directly following 9/11. And so the petite Ms. Boone, whose 5-foot-1-inch frame and tame, pitch-black hair make her seem deceptively mousy, is not particularly concerned this time around.

“In November of ’89, only 20 percent of works were selling at auctions,” Ms. Boone said. “But the works then went on the market at the right prices. So it’s all a correction.  read more »

The sixth season of Project Runway will be delayed until NBC and Lifetime can resolve their differences in court. [LA Times via  The Cut] 

The "appearances" that Sacha Baron Cohen made at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks as a character named "Bruno" were for footage for his next mockumentary about the fashion world. [WWD]

The economy has caused some retail buyers to cut their spring orders 15 to 20 percent after seeing the runways. [WWD] 

Donatella Versace will co-host the Whitney Gala on October 20. [FWD]   read more »

Donatella Versace has announced that she'll sponsor the Whitney Museum's 2008 Gala on October 20th, and will collaborate with Julian Schnabel, Marc Quinn and Wangechi Mutu on creating three pieces of jewelry to be auctioned during the event. [WWD]

Diane von Furstenberg was re-elected as the president of the Council of the Fashion Designers of America. [WWD]

Beyoncé's sister, Solange Knowles, is now an Ambassador for Armani Jeans. [Vogue UK]

Warner Brothers is producing a Supergirl-themed contemporary line designed by New York power trio Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss, Alice Roi and Abaete designer Laura Poretzky. [WWD]

Someone at Elle might get fired for air-brushing Jessica Simpson to the point of non-recognition. [The Cut]

At her Spring/Summer 2009 Men's wear show on Saturday, June 21st in Milan, Donatella Versace reportedly dedicated the collection to Senator Barack Obama, calling him "the man of the moment."

Ms. Versace said that the look inspired by Senator Obama was designed for a "a relaxed man who doesn't need to flex muscles to show he has power." Later, while talking to reporters at the after-show dinner party at her private palazzo in Milan, she offered some styling tips for the presidential candidate: "I would get rid of the tie and jazz up the shirt," she said.

Unfortunately, Senator Obama doesn't look like the type to wear sheer scarves tucked underneath silk T-shirts, a look that dominated the designer's collection. And we would seriously have to question his commitment to the presidential race if he started riding that bike around in strappy man-sandals, another staple in the show.

Marc Jacobs' friends tell Page Six that he's out of control with his boy-chasing and partying ways, afraid he'll "pull a Halston." [P6]

Donatella Versace wishes Hillary would give up the pants. [P6]  read more »

Over at Milan Fashion Week, Bergdorf Goodman’s fashion director of men’s wear, Tommy Fazio, was “unceremoniously asked” to give up his front-row seat at Saturday’s Versace runway show. Why? Because of Beyoncé, of course!

According to a dispatch posted on T Magazine’s Web site today, Mr. Fazio was forced from his seat by a “clipboard Nazi,” who needed the chair for a member of the 26-year-old diva’s entourage. In apparent protest, the fashion director immediately refused to buy anything from the show and canceled his upcoming showroom appointment. (Considering Donatella Versace’s seemingly unconventional managerial methods, extensively profiled in a recent, riveting New Yorker profile, one can assume that heads will likely roll.) Then, after the show had ended, Beyoncé and her “boo,” Jay-Z, burned rubber out of a GQ party because there was no V.I.P. room at the affair.

In related news fresh out of the Italian city, the Spice Girls are expected to show up at the Roberto Cavalli runway show today. At a concert in London last week, Victoria Beckham reportedly sent up several shout-outs to the Italian designer. Because of Posh’s ability to fit into small boxes normally reserved for, say, a pair of shoes, she could pop up at any moment.